The Orioles had yet another chance to win in Toronto Thursday night, this time leading the game until the final out. Though Jeremy Guthrie pitched a strong seven innings, relievers Jim Johnson and George Sherrill allowed the Jays to notch their third consecutive one run win over a reeling Baltimore club.

The Orioles got on the board early against Mennonite and former Oriole pitcher John Parrish. Nick Markakis hit a double and came home on an Aubrey Huff single.

Melvin Mora and Jay Payton hit a pair of doubles to start the second inning. I take back all that stuff I said about you, big guy. Brandon Fahey brought Payton home with his patented weak infield grounder. Without a trace of sarcasm, announcer Jim Hunter said Fahey “was fortunate just to make contact.” Tejada who?

Jeremy Guthrie started off strong, keeping the birds ahead 3-0 after two innings.

Liquid Courage

During the “covering the bases” feature on Aubrey Huff, the recently rejuvenated hitter knocked a double to right field. In a taped segment, the 2^nd year O talked about his hobbies off the field.

“I like to draw, ya know, sketching and things like that. I like to sing, but not without a couple of cocktails in me.”

Dude, Aubrey, you like karaoke, too?! What say we go to Kelly’s on Eastern one night, put down some rail gin, and belt a few tunes? By the way, who’s your favorite rock band?

“Nickelback.”

Oh, uh. Nevermind.

The Jays put up their first run in the fourth inning when Alex “his name is” Rios picked up an RBI. That’s a Duran Duran reference for all you kids out there.

Aubrey Huff’s Mom

Brian Roberts picked up a walk in the fifth inning, but he was tagged out in yet another rundown. Nick Markakis walked as well, then got picked off just as MASN showed a taped segment with Kevin Millar talking about how aesthetically unpleasing he and Huff look with their shirts off. Let’s just say the fifth inning was ugly all around.

In the bottom of the sixth, Huff referred to his mom as a “baseball groupie.” I feel ill.

The BJs put together another run in the sixth. I don’t know how this happened because I was busy transcribing Huff’s mom’s conversation with the announcers. In case you were interested, Huff’s mom once grounded the DH for throwing a high school keg party.

Adam Jones hit a two out triple in the top of the seventh inning, giving the birds a chance to widen their one run lead. Jones was stranded when Brandon Fahey went down swinging. This time, he was not fortunate enough to make contact.

Brian’s streak ends

Roberts hit a single in the top of the eighth, advancing to second on a Markakis ground out. Huff was issued an intentional pass with two away, so that Jays RP Brandon League could face loafing catcher Ramon Hernandez. Hernandez was walked unintentionally, loading the bases.

Melvin Mora capitalized on the situation, hitting a two RBI single that scored Roberts and Huff. Notably, Huff decided to slide into the plate and Roberts’ trip around the bases ended his streak of “consecutive on base appearances getting caught in a pickoff or rundown.” Oh, well. It was nice while it lasted. 5-2 O’s through 7 ½.

Sherrill’s streak continues

Cue the bullpen implosion. Jim Johnson came on for Guthrie in the eighth, giving up a single and a double to the Jays before recording an out. Both runners scored on ground outs. The Oriole lead was down to one, 5-4 through seven innings.

George Sherrill pitched the ninth inning. He struck out MarcoScutaro, then quickly settled into his usual habit of allowing base runners, giving up a hit to Rob Barahas and a double to Scott Rolen. Trembley decided to intentionally walk pinch hitter Greg Zaun. You know, to make Sherrill feel more at home.

Lyle Overbay popped into a sacrifice fly. Sherrill blew another save. Adam Lind singled, bringing Rolen home and the Jays sweep the O’s in Toronto. Their current five game skid drops the O’s to last place in the AL East.

Jeremy Guthrie is just going to have to pitch complete games if he expects to post any more W’s this season. It’s not going to get any easier tomorrow, when the team heads to Boston for a three game set, their last series before the All Star break.

Over or under one win for the birds in Boston?

Score: 5-6 Blue Jays

Record: 44-46, 10.5GB

Next Game: @ Boston. Fri. 7:05pm. Burres (6-5, 5.07 ERA) vs. Buckholz (2-3, 5.53 ERA)

Topics: Aubrey Huff , Nickelback , Aubrey Huff's mom